This item is only available as the following downloads:

Copyright 2014 Jean Baptiste, Raitano, and Hebblethwaite Funded by the UF Duk e NEH Collaborative Grant Summary of Interview with Welele Noubout Summar ized by Tahiri Jean Baptiste Edited by Megan Raitano and Benjamin Hebblethwaite W elele Noubout comes from Jacmel, Haiti H e was raised in the Catholic tradition and spent about ten years of his life living with priests and nuns in seminaries. He was due to become a Catholic priest, but upon learning the history of the Catholic Church he decided against it Though he has chosen not to become a Catholic priest Welele believes that Catholicism and Vodou are inherently similar religion s He believes that the religions of the world are but variations of one mother religion. What ties these religions together, according to Welele, is Gnosticism a quest for s piritual knowledge a principle that can be found in all religions Welele believe s that the religions of the world all came from Vodou. Consequently, regardless of religious denomination Vodoui sts are open and willing to help all people. This principle is due to the belief held by many Vodouists that insist s upon the Godliness and the importance of all living humans as creations of God This is a principle of brotherhood and kinship that emphasizes the unity necessary to humanity. Welele, lik e other Vodouists, believes that Vodouists are god within God ( bondye nan Bondye ) or rather that they possess a level of Godliness that must be maintained through harmonious living. In addition to living in harmony with human beings, Welele believes tha t one must live in harmony with plants and animals. These elements of the world are creations of God, and thus hold a purpose equal to that of human beings. Furthermore, he does not believe in the binary principles of bad and good. He believes that they are both realities that are intrinsic to the world and therefore must exist simultaneously. Additionally, the concepts of evil and good do not translate uniformly cross culturally. What one culture considers bad may be perceived as good by another. Welele Noubout emphasizes knowledge, consciousness and self and world awareness. He believes that Haiti will be freed when the nat ion as a whole takes it upon itself to reach a level of awareness. This awareness will in turn awaken them to who they were, and who they were always meant to be. Welele lives according to a code of brotherhood, kindness, and a love and respect for God a nd all of his creations. Keywords and phrases : God, harmony, spirit, Catholicism, Gnosticism, consciousness, Godliness, kinship brotherhood, denomination